Why Don't You Get a Job?

The Offspring

About Why Don't You Get a Job?

"Why Don't You Get a Job?" is a song by The Offspring. The song is the 11th track on The Offspring's fifth studio album Americana (1998) and was released as the second single from the album. The song also appears as the eighth track on the band's Greatest Hits album (2005). The single peaked within the top ten of the charts in many countries, including reaching number two in the United Kingdom, Australia, Iceland and Sweden. The song drew attention for its close similarity to the song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", as multiple music writers pointed out that the melody and rhythm sounded much like the Beatles' 1968 release from their self-titled double album (also known as the "White Album").  


Year:
1998
2:52
1,172 
#2

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My friend's got a girlfriend
Man he hates that bitch
He tells me every day
He says "man I really gotta lose my chick
In the worst kind of way"

She sits on her ass
He works his hands to the bone
To give her money every payday
But she wants more dinero just to stay at home
Well my friend
You gotta say

I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way
Why don't you get a job
Say no way, say no way, no way
Why don't you get a job

I guess all his money, well it isn't enough
To keep her bill collectors at bay
I guess all his money, well it isn't enough
'Cause that girl's got expensive taste

I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way
Why don't you get a job
Say no way, say no way, no way
Why don't you get a job

Well I guess it ain't easy doing nothing at all
But hey man free rides just don't come along
Every day

Let me tell you about my other friend now
My friend's got a boyfriend, man she hates that dick
She tells me every day
He wants more dinero just to stay at home
Well my friend
You gotta say

I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way
Why don't you get a job
Say no way, say no way, no way
Why don't you get a job

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The Offspring

The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1984. They are widely credited, alongside fellow California punk, ska punk, and pop punk bands Sublime,Green Day, and Rancid, with popularizing and reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the United States in the 1990s. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Noodles, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada. Parada replaced former drummer Adam "Atom" Willard in 2007, during the recording of the band's eighth studio album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, and has been a member of the band since. more »

9 fans

Written by: BRYAN HOLLAND

Lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Release
"Why Don't You Get a Job" is a song by American punk rock band, The Offspring. It was released as the second single from their fifth studio album, "Americana" in 1999.
Song Theme
Lyrically, the song narrates a story about a man whose girlfriend always demands money from him. The man resolves that the best solution would be for her to get a job, hence the title of the song.
Music Style
The song is known for its blend of punk rock with elements of ska and pop, which made it a unique sound in the band's catalog.
Chart Performance
"Why Don't You Get a Job?" was a significant success for The Offspring. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S and reached the Top 10 in several other countries, including the UK and Australia.
Controversies
The song has drawn comparisons to The Beatles song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”. However, The Offspring's frontman, Dexter Holland, has stated that the similarity was unintentional.
Music Video
The music video for the song, directed by McG, was a satirical take on various popular culture references, including Titanic, The Jerry Springer Show, and Forrest Gump, among others.
Popular Culture
"Why Don’t You Get a Job?" has been included in the soundtracks of several popular television shows and movies, including "The Simpsons" and "American Pie 2," which demonstrates its long-lasting popularity.
Versatility
Unlike many punk rock songs, "Why Don't You Get a Job?" features a variety of musical instruments including trumpet and tuba besides the traditional guitar, bass, and drums.
Song Parody
The song is known for its comedic and almost parody-like lyrics, which is something The Offspring have done in several of their songs but it stands out in this one.
Live Performances
The song is still a staple of The Offspring's live performances, attracting cheerful crowd responses with its cheeky and relatable lyrics.

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    Why Don't You Get a Job?

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    200.1K     7,459

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1999

    Billboard #74


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